Directions

From Cornville, Arizona

1. Head east on E Cornville Rd toward S Loy Rd (9.0 mi)
2. Turn right onto the ramp to Phoenix (0.2 mi)
3. Merge onto I-17 S (5.5 mi)
4. Take exit 287 for AZ-260 toward AZ-89A/Cottonwood/Payson (0.3 mi)
5. Turn left onto AZ-260 E/Finnie Flat Rd (signs for Camp Verde/Payson) (0.3 mi)
6. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on AZ-260 E/Finnie Flat Rd
   Continue to follow AZ-260 E
   (33.7 mi)
7. Turn right onto AZ-260 E/AZ-87 S (23.5 mi)
8. Turn left onto Houston Mesa Rd/Nf-199 (4.8 mi)
9. Slight left onto Houston Mesa Rd (3.7 mi)
10. Turn right
    Destination will be on the right
    (0.7 mi)

From Phoenix, take RT 87 northeast to Payson. All directions below are given from Payson.

HELLS GATE [HELL]: It's a long, hot, steep and strenuous 13 mile roundtrip hike (better plan an overnight backpack) down to Hell's Gate in the Hells Gate Wilderness in the Tonto N. F.. Trail Description . Take plenty of water. The hike out is very steep uphill. Hells Gate is said to be well worth the effort if you are a backpacker. Rock-walled canyons with stream-side vegetation in the desert and swimming holes to enjoy. Some nice level places to camp too. To get here from Payson, go east on RT 260 for 11 miles to Little Green Valley. Turn south (right) on FR 405A and drive 1/2 mile south to trailhead LAT, LON (TRAILHEAD): lat=34.27988, lon=-111.13405(source: web site) (accuracy:approximate). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. The trailhead is marked and easily accessible by car.

The hike: Pass through the gate and hike along the old road. The road climbs steeply over a ridge and then follows a fence line. Stay on the road, do not go through any of the gates on the fence. After 1 mile the road forks -- take the left one and follow along the creek. The trail crosses the creek about 7 times. After 2 miles the trail comes to a corral. From the corral the trail turns right and climbs a very steep hill to the ridge line. There is a fork on top of the ridge; take the left one and continue on the trail as it descends and climbs several small mountains to the top of Hellsgate Ridge, where it enters the wilderness (4 miles).

The trail in this section is sometimes a trail and sometimes and old jeep road. The two criss-cross each other several times. So if you miss the trail the road will get you to the same place but it was usually steeper. From the wilderness boundary the trail descends for the next 2.5 miles. After 1.5 miles you will come to a large stock tank. The trail gets a bit vague once you reach the creek, but a trail continues on the other side, going west a couple of hundred yards to where Haigler Creek joins Tonto Creek. The banks are rather brushy, but there are a handful of good camping spots near the confluence and the verdant areas along the creeks are inviting places. LAT, LON (SWIM HOLE): lat=-34.21606,-111.09615, lon=-111.13405(source: web site) (accuracy:approximate). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/2012.

HAIGLER CANYON [HAIG]: Campground in Tonto N. F. with several swimming holes around the campground and in nearby canyons. No further information. To get here from Payson take RT 260 east about 24 miles then turn east (right) onto East Colcord Rd. (FR 291). Go about 4 miles then turn south (right) onto Chamberlain Trail (FR 200) and go about 7 miles to the Haigler Canyon Campground (Dirt roads may be difficult after rain. Roads winding with drop offs.). The swimming holes are near here. LAT, LON: lat=34.2194849, lon=-110.96290(source: web site) (accuracy:approximate). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/2012.

TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE S. P. [TONT]: Swimming place in Pine Creek in State Park. Swimming is not allowed under the Natural Bridge. People do swim downstream in Pine Creek. No lifeguard - swimming is at your own risk. STATE PARK WEB SITE check to be sure it is open before you go. There is an entrance fee. To get here: From Payson head north on RT 87 for about 2.5 miles then, at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto RT 260 W/RT 87 N. Go about 8.6 miles then turn west (left) at FR 583 and continue a short way to the state park. LAT, LON :lat=34.3207, lon=-111.4565(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Very confident. Not verified. Updated 11/09.

Courtesy of swimmingholes.org